Sheffield Hockey club enjoy national cup success as they continue to fire on all cylinders
Tom Warburton, who represents Sheffield Bankers, discusses his love for hockey after an incredibly successful season for the team
The Sheffield Bankers Hockey Club continued their incredibly successful year by winning the England Hockey National Trophy Finals.
The Bankers took the lead against Jersey in a tightly contested final at Lee Valley Hockey centre in London after Will Hearne’s early opener but were pegged back later in the contest after a late equaliser.
With nothing to separate the two sides at the end of the contest, the match went to penalty shuffles and the Bankers delivered under pressure, emerging as 3-2 winners as Skipper Aidan Friskey pulled off some huge saves before Sam Jones scored the decisive shuffle.
It’s the Men’s first team's latest achievement after being crowned champions of the North East Premier League to make it into the National Championship.
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And it’s not just the Men’s first team that’s enjoyed huge success throughout the calendar year, with the men’s second team and ladies 3rd team both being crowned first division champions.
Tom Warburton, who represents Men’s over 35s and England Masters Team, describes hockey as a great way to meet people and hopes the sport can continue to grow in popularity in the Steel City.
He said: “I got into hockey at secondary school. I found myself being good at it so naturally I enjoyed it and eventually I got introduced to the club side.
“It’s always been my release. And I think there is something just so stress relieving about striking the ball really hard at someone wearing pads in goal. It’s a simple sport to get into.”
Tom studied at the University of Chester before moving to Sheffield to play for the Bankers. He says the club has ambitious plans for the future:
“The club’s vision is to have teams at all ages from under 8s all the way to the seniors. We have a great youth development into the adult teams. I have two kids that I’ve got into it and it’s helping them meet new friends.”
Anyone wanting to get involved with The Sheffield Bankers can do so through the club’s social media or through their official website.